Ep 5. Hippo Issues

In the fifth episode of Alpha House season 1, titled "Hippo Issues," viewers are taken on a rollercoaster ride as the four Republican senators at the center of the show are faced with mounting personal and professional challenges.

Senator Gil John Biggs, the self-appointed leader of the group, takes center stage in this episode as he struggles to balance his duties as a public servant with his desire to maintain his own privacy and happiness. As the episode unfolds, we see Biggs grappling with a range of issues, from the dissolution of his marriage to a potential conflict of interest involving his relationship with a powerful lobbyist.

Meanwhile, Senator Robert Bettencourt finds himself at a crossroads as he tries to decide whether to run in the upcoming mayoral race in D.C. As he weighs his options, Bettencourt is forced to confront his own limitations as a politician, and to consider how his actions will impact not just his own life but those of the people he is supposed to be representing.

Senator Louis Laffer, who has always been something of a wild card, is also grappling with his own personal demons in this episode. Despite his party affiliation, Laffer has always been a bit of an outsider, and in this episode we see him struggling to come to terms with his own sexuality as well as his growing disillusionment with the political process.

Finally, there's Senator Andy Guzman, who is struggling to keep his head above water as he contends with both a growing scandal involving his own staff and the ongoing pressures of being a freshman senator in a city that often seems to be stacked against him.

As the episode progresses, tensions rise between the four senators as they grapple with their own individual challenges. At times, the interactions between them are tense and fraught with conflict, as each of them is forced to confront the harsh realities of contemporary politics and their own limitations as human beings.

Despite the challenges they face, however, the senators are also united by their shared humanity and their commitment to representing the people who elected them. Throughout the episode, we see them fighting not just for their own self-interest, but for the ideals that brought them to Washington in the first place.

Overall, "Hippo Issues," is a powerful and compelling episode that explores the complex, multifaceted world of contemporary politics with both nuance and sensitivity. With its sharp writing, strong performances, and nuanced character development, it is a must-see for anyone passionate about politics and storytelling alike.